Kings rope in Lebanese star Kdouh

New Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings took another step in their bid to bolster their star-studded squad for the upcoming season by completing the signing of rising Lebanon International striker Mohamed Jalal Kdouh.

The 22-year-old Lebanon rising star will be the second signing of the Kings after the club extended Costa Rican World Cupper forward Daniel Colindres’s contract for one more year at the end of the season. Kdouh will be the replacement of Brazilian striker Marcos Vinicius with whom Bashundhara didn’t renew the contract.

“We completed his signing last week. We had some lacking in striking position and wanted to strengthen the existing squad for next season,” Bashundhara Kings president Imrul Hasan told to Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday. He added, “Kdouh is a rising star in Lebanon. We thought he will fit well with us in the team. He is currently in North Korea with the national team. He is expected to come to Dhaka by September 15.”

Bashundhara Kings concluded their memorable debut season in the Bangladesh Premier League with a 1-1 draw against Chittagong Abahani Limited at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Saturday.https://t.co/YNuhsWSCt3#KINGS #FOOTBALL #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHFOOTBALL #BPL #BFF

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 3, 2019

Kdouh, who emerged as the best player of Lebanon in 2016-17, grew up in the academy of seven-time Lebanese league champions Al Ahed where he made his senior team debut in 2014. He scored a total of 28 goals for the club in the last two seasons. His performance has also been impressive in the AFC Cup this season scoring five goals along with two assists.

Kdouh was the captain of the national U-23 side last for two years before making his national team debut this year and scored one out of three appearances against Yemen last month. Lebanon team is currently in North Korea to play their opening 2022 World Cup qualifying game against the hosts on September 5. Kings will be first club for Kdouh outside Lebanon.